Key takeaways
In order to get semaglutide for weight loss (and other uses), you’ll need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. So, the first step to getting semaglutide is to meet with a healthcare provider in person or virtually (such as through Ro). They can help determine if semaglutide is right for you.
Once you receive an Rx for semaglutide, your next steps are to determine insurance coverage and fill your script at your preferred pharmacy.
Semaglutide coverage may vary depending on the brand-name drug prescribed (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), your insurance plan, and why it’s prescribed (for weight loss, type 2 diabetes, etc.).
Here's what we'll cover
Here's what we'll cover
Key takeaways
In order to get semaglutide for weight loss (and other uses), you’ll need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. So, the first step to getting semaglutide is to meet with a healthcare provider in person or virtually (such as through Ro). They can help determine if semaglutide is right for you.
Once you receive an Rx for semaglutide, your next steps are to determine insurance coverage and fill your script at your preferred pharmacy.
Semaglutide coverage may vary depending on the brand-name drug prescribed (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), your insurance plan, and why it’s prescribed (for weight loss, type 2 diabetes, etc.).
If you’ve struggled with your weight, you’re probably watching many of your friends, coworkers, family members, and neighbors suddenly shedding pounds and wondering how to get semaglutide for weight loss.
The good news is, if you qualify for semaglutide (the active ingredient in brand-name drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus), there are many ways to get this prescription medication, be it in person or online through platforms like Ro’s Body membership.
Keep reading to learn how to get semaglutide for weight loss (and other purposes!), whether you likely qualify, and other key information (think: insurance coverage and costs).
Ozempic Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
Wegovy Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
Who qualifies for semaglutide?
Qualification or eligibility for semaglutide depends on the specific drug and its uses or indications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That said, there’s always the possibility that a healthcare provider might prescribe semaglutide off-label if they believe it’s the best fit for a patient and their health goals.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the following brand-name drugs: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. While all three are part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1s (short for glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist), they have different indications and, thus, different eligibility requirements.
GLP-1 Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
Who qualifies for Ozempic?
Ozempic is a weekly injection that’s FDA-approved to:
Improve glycemic (blood sugar) control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attack, stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
The medication should be used in combination with diet and exercise.
Who qualifies for Wegovy?
Like Ozempic, Wegovy is also a weekly injection that contains the active ingredient, semaglutide. Where the two GLP-1s differ is in their indications. Wegovy is FDA-approved alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to:
Reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long-term in adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity and adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition (e.g. high blood pressure)
Reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attack, stroke) in adults with cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight
Who qualifies for Rybelsus?
Unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, Rybelsus comes in pill form. For the needle-phobic out there, this might sound like a dream. But here’s the catch: Rybelsus is currently only approved, alongside diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Where Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss, this is typically not the case for Rybelsus. That’s because the dosing of the oral medication makes it relatively ineffective for weight loss, according to Tzvi Doron, DO, board-certified family doctor and obesity medicine physician.
Who qualifies for compounded semaglutide?
Because compounded semaglutide isn’t FDA-approved, there are no standardized guidelines or official indications for who qualifies for it. Instead, eligibility is typically determined by individual healthcare providers, often based on the same criteria used for FDA-approved versions like Ozempic or Wegovy (e.g. type 2 diabetes, obesity or overweight, etc.).
Compounded medications are custom-made pharmaceutical products by licensed pharmacists to meet a patient’s unique needs when a commercially available drug cannot. They’re permitted to be prescribed under federal law. However, since they’re not FDA-approved, they do not undergo the same testing for safety and efficacy as branded medications. That being said, a healthcare provider might prescribe a compounded drug when there is a specific patient need that cannot be met with currently available branded medications.
How to get semaglutide for weight loss and other uses
Like other prescription medications, the first step to getting semaglutide for weight loss (or any other use, for that matter) is to make an appointment with a qualified healthcare professional. You can do this in person with your regular general practitioner or find an obesity medicine specialist in your area. It’s also easier than ever to go through this process from the comfort of your own home by connecting with an online provider from Ro’s Body membership.
Whichever route you take, you’ll need to complete some medical history forms. Be sure to fill these out with as much detail as possible, as your complete medical history (including family history, medications, and any health issues you’ve had) gives your provider the full picture to make informed recommendations. Your provider may also want to do some lab work to diagnose type 2 diabetes or check on other conditions and parts of your health.
Your provider will then evaluate you to see if you’re a good candidate for the medication. If you are, they’ll send your prescription to your pharmacy of choice.
When you start on semaglutide (regardless of the use case), your provider will generally start you at the lowest dose before gradually increasing your dose over time as needed. The goal with semaglutide, like any medication, is to get you to a maintenance dose that provides the desired results without excessive side effects. “The rule of thumb is the higher the dose, the more side effects you’ll likely experience,” according to Dr. Doron.
Do you need a prescription for semaglutide for weight loss?
One word? Yes.
To get semaglutide for weight loss or another purpose, you will need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Providers who can prescribe semaglutide include:
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), such as your primary care provider (PCP), an endocrinologist, or another provider who specializes in weight loss
Nurse practitioner (NP)
Physician assistant (PA)
Semaglutide is generally considered safe for most people, but like any prescription medication, it’s not necessarily a fit for everyone—plus, it can interact with other drugs and comes with the potential for side effects. For these reasons (and because, you know, it’s legally required), it’s important to get semaglutide from a reputable healthcare provider that can make sure you are a good candidate for the drug and can monitor you for any potential issues.
How to get semaglutide online
Don’t want to go through the hassle of an in-person appointment? Good news: It’s easier than ever to get semaglutide online (read: without ever leaving the comfort of your home). Here’s how to do just that:
Find an online provider. An easy way to do this is by asking your primary care physician (PCP) if they offer virtual consultations. You can also contact your insurance company to find out if they offer (and cover) telehealth services or explore other trusted telehealth platforms. Another option is to utilize an online program, such as the Ro Body membership. With Ro, you first fill out a brief online form with your health history and, if applicable, weight loss goals. Then, a Ro-affiliated provider reviews your answers and gets back to you to schedule an online consultation and potentially order a metabolic lab test to aid in diagnosis.
Connect with a provider. During your virtual visit, your healthcare provider will likely review your current medications, go over your medical history, and review your health and weight loss goals to assess whether semaglutide might be a good option for you. They might also recommend lab tests for a more comprehensive look at your health. If your provider determines that semaglutide is appropriate for you, they’ll write an Rx for Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus—the first two of which are available through Ro.
Determine your insurance coverage. As you may very well know, not all insurance plans are created equal. So, not all insurance plans will cover semaglutide. For example, some insurance plans may cover semaglutide for type 2 diabetes (e.g. Ozempic, Rybelsus) but not for weight loss (e.g. Wegovy). Coverage often depends on factors like your specific plan, prescribed use, and whether you meet certain medical criteria.
To determine whether the medication you’ve been prescribed is covered, what’s required for coverage (e.g. prior authorization), and your expected copay, you can call your insurance plan directly or review your plan’s drug formulary. Another option is to use tools, such as Ro’s free and accessible to all (read: not just current patients) GLP-1 Insurance Coverage Checker. All that said, if you get semaglutide through Ro, their insurance concierge will work with your insurance to help determine coverage and the cost of the drug if covered.
Fill your prescription. If your provider thinks you’re a good fit for medication, they’ll write you a prescription and send it to your pharmacy of choice. If you decide to fill your prescription online, be sure to confirm that the pharmacy is accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) or that they have a current license with your state’s board of pharmacy—something you can do by using the FDA’s BeSafeRX tool.
How to get semaglutide in person
If you rather go the more, err, traditional route to get semaglutide, here’s how to do it.
Find a provider. To get semaglutide in person, you need to schedule an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider, whether that’s your PCP or another qualified pro. If you’re not already well-versed in your full personal and family medical history, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these details prior to the consult, as your healthcare provider will likely want to review them. The same goes for any medications—Rx and over-the-counter— and any supplements that you’re currently taking.
Meet with a provider. During your appointment, your provider will likely inquire as to why you’ve come in, do a physical exam, and then ask you some questions about your medical and family history, your lifestyle habits, your weight loss goals, and any medications you’re taking. They may also order lab tests to aid in diagnosis. If your healthcare provider determines semaglutide is the right treatment for you, they’ll write a prescription for the specific brand-name drug.
Determine your insurance coverage. As mentioned above, semaglutide isn’t necessarily covered by all insurance plans. To find out whether the specific brand-name medication you’ve been prescribed is covered, contact your health plan directly. During your call, be sure to ask whether prior authorization is needed and what to expect for a copay amount.
Just like with getting semaglutide online, you can also figure out your coverage by reviewing your plan’s drug formulary or using certain tools (e.g. Ro’s GLP-1 Insurance Coverage Tracker). You may also be able to get assistance from your healthcare provider’s office. So, don’t be afraid to ask the front desk before leaving post-appointment.
Fill your prescription. If your provider has written you an Rx, you can fill it at your pharmacy of choice. If you don’t have insurance coverage, it may be worth pricing shopping at different pharmacies, as out-of-pocket prices may vary depending on location.
Who shouldn’t take semaglutide for weight loss?
Semaglutide for weight loss is generally considered safe for most people who meet the weight and medical criteria, but it’s not appropriate for everyone.
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant in the near future, or are breastfeeding, semaglutide is not recommended. We don’t have enough data at this point to know for sure what effects semaglutide may have on a fetus or infant, but some animal studies indicate it could be harmful. Your provider may recommend being on a reliable form of birth control while taking semaglutide.
You shouldn’t take semaglutide if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (a specific type of thyroid cancer; this does not apply to other types of thyroid cancer) or MEN2 syndrome (a rare, inherited disorder that causes tumors). All GLP-1 medications (including semaglutide) have been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rodents. More research is needed to better know what is the overall risk, if any, on humans.
There’s a chance semaglutide could increase the risk of developing pancreatitis in people with underlying problems. If you’ve had pancreatitis in the last six months, your healthcare provider will likely recommend waiting a while to start taking semaglutide for weight loss.
Like any drug, do not take semaglutide if you are allergic to it. If you develop any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction to semaglutide, stop taking the medication and get help right away.
Trouble breathing or swallowing
Swollen tongue or lips
Severe itching or hives
Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting
Will insurance cover semaglutide for weight loss?
Insurance coverage of semaglutide depends on several factors, including the brand-name drug, prescribed use, and the details of your specific insurance plan.
Getting insurance coverage can be challenging, depending on your carrier and your specific circumstances. Some insurance carriers do not cover weight loss treatments; others have strict qualification requirements. You may be able to get coverage for one brand and not another, and you may have an easier time getting coverage if you have type 2 diabetes along with obesity. For example, if you have diabetes (or pre-diabetes), you may have an easier time getting insurance coverage for Ozempic (which is approved for diabetes) than for Wegovy (which is approved for weight loss).
Even if you’re prescribed semaglutide for an FDA-approved indication, there’s still no guarantee that your insurance will cover the drug. Your best bet for finding out whether your plan covers semaglutide? Contact your insurance carrier directly; be sure to confirm what steps you need to increase your chances of coverage, as your plan may require prior authorization. If so, your healthcare provider will have to submit paperwork to your insurance company verifying that the prescribed semaglutide drug, be it Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, is a medically necessary treatment for you.
If you have Medicare, your plan won’t cover semaglutide for weight loss, though it might cover it if you have diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. Check your plan’s drug formulary to learn more about what’s covered. If you have Medicaid, you may be able to get coverage for semaglutide for weight loss, but coverage varies from state to state. All that being said, if your insurance plan doesn’t include coverage for semaglutide, you’ll have to pay for the drug out-of-pocket. And since we don’t want anyone having sticker shock, we’ll start off by gently telling you this: Since there isn’t yet a generic version of semaglutide, the medication can be rather expensive.
Here are the list prices for the three brand-name semaglutide drugs, according to drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk:
That being said, the price you pay for semaglutide at the pharmacy may be more or less, depending on your insurance coverage (if any), the pharmacy used, your location, and any discounts, coupons, or savings cards.
Bottom line
You wanted to learn how to get semaglutide for weight loss, and now you’re, well, here—at the end of an article that covers quite a bit of information. So, let’s recap some key points about getting semaglutide, be it for weight loss, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, or kidney disease risk. The first thing to remember? Semaglutide is a prescription medication, meaning you need an Rx from a licensed healthcare provider to get it.
To qualify for semaglutide, you must meet specific criteria, which vary depending on the brand prescribed. Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is for weight loss in individuals with obesity or overweight who have a weight-related health condition. While these are the primary FDA-approved uses, the medications may have other indications as well, and there’s always the possibility of a provider prescribing semaglutide off-label.
The process of getting semaglutide starts with a consultation—either in person or online—with a healthcare provider. During the appointment, they may ask about your lifestyle, past weight loss efforts, and goals, review your medical history, and potentially order lab tests. This is all to help them determine if semaglutide is a fit for you.
If appropriate, your provider will write a prescription for semaglutide, which you can likely fill at a nearby or online pharmacy. Before you pick up your meds, though, it’s a good idea to verify your insurance coverage (if you have insurance)—something you can do by calling your insurance plan directly or reviewing your plan’s drug formulary.
Insurance coverage of semaglutide can vary. It depends on several factors, including the brand-name drug, prescribed use, and the details of your specific insurance plan.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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